SPRING RETAINER APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING LOADING OF FUEL RODS INTO A NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY

摘要

The spring retainer apparatus is for use with fuel assemblies employing spacer grids formed of straps having fuel-rod supporting grid springs paired back-to-back. The spring retainer apparatus (66) comprises a plurality of elongate holder bars (70) from which extend posts (74) which terminate in bifurcated end portions (76) adapted to be engaged with the respective pairs of back-to-back grid springs (60) so as to retain the latter in retracted positions allowing fuel rods to be inserted into the spacer grids without being scratched by the grid springs. The holder bars (70) are divided into two groups forming spring retainer assemblies (68A,68B) each including a handle bar (72) which interconnects the associated holder bars (70) in parallel spaced relationship corresponding essentially to that of the grid straps, the two spring retainer assemblies being positionable criss-cross relative to each other to permit concurrent engagement of the bifurcated end portions of their holder bars with the spring pairs on all of the criss-crossed grid straps.